My thoughts on the Phillies season.

The Phils, as they score seven runs in their last two at-bats, are able to salvage a win, as they defeat the Mets, 8-2.

The Phils, as they score seven runs in their last two at-bats, reward Cole Hamels’ strong start as they salvage a victory as they beat the Mets, 8-2.

The Mets took a quick 2-0 lead in the first as, with one man on, and with two men out, a struggling Ike Davis hits a two-run home run, his first home run of the season, knocking in David Wright, who had just singled. The Phils got a run back in their half of the first as, with two men on, and with no one out, Jimmy Rollins hits an RBI single, knocking in Juan Pierre, who had started the inning off with a single, then moved up to second base on Shane Victorino’s single, cutting the Mets’ lead down to 2-1, while sending Victorino, who had just singled, up to second base. The game then became a pitchers’ duel for the next four and one-third innings, as Phils’ starter Cole Hamels gave up only four more hits and a walk, while striking out ten Mets, putting up a strong performance, while Mets’ starter Mike Pelfrey threw six strong innings of his own, as he refused to give the Phils the key hit that they’d been looking for, as he gave up eight total hits and two walks, while striking out just two Phils. The Phils tied the game up at two-all in the seventh as, with runners on second and third, and with one man out, Ty Wigginton hits a sacrifice fly deep to right, knocking in Rollins, who had earlier singled, stopped at second base on Hunter Pence’s single, then moved up to third on Ramon Ramirez’s wild pitch, while sending Pence, who had earlier singled, then stopped at second base on Ramirez’s wild pitch, up to third base. The Phils then took the lead one batter later as Laynce Nix hits an RBI double, his first hit of the season, knocking in Pence, giving the Phils a 3-2 lead. The Phils added to their lead in the eighth as, with the bases loaded, via a double by Pete Orr, his first hit of the season, Placidio Polanco reaching first on shortstop Ruben Tejada’s throwing error, Orr moving up to third on Victorino’s fly out to right for the inning’s second out, and Rollins’ walk, sending Polanco to second base, and with two men out, Pence forces in a run with a walk, scoring Orr, giving the Phils a 4-2 lead, while moving both Polanco and Rollins up a base. The Phils then busted the game wide open as Wigginton hits a bases clearing double, scoring Polanco, Rollins and Pence, giving the Phils a 7-2 lead. The Phils then made it an 8-2 lead as Wigginton scored all the way from second on a ball that John Mayberry, Jr. hits along the first base line that stayed fair for an infield single. That would end up being the final score as Jonathan Papelbon stopped a bases loaded threat by striking out pinch hitter Justin Turner, swinging.

Cole Hamels (1-1, 3.65) gets the win as he threw seven strong innings, giving up just two runs on six scattered hits and a walk, while he struck out ten. Chad Qualls recorded his second hold of the year as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit. Jonathan Papelbon threw a scoreless inning as he gave up two hits and a walk, while he struck out two. Mike Pelfrey took a no-decision as he threw six innings, giving up a run on eight hits and two walks, while striking out two. Ramnon Ramirez blew his first save opportunity of the season, before taking the lost (1-1, 6.23) as he pitched an inning, giving up two runs on three hits. Manny Acosta pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up four unearned runs on one hit and two walks, while striking out a batter. Miguel Batista pitched a third of an inning, giving up a run on two hits.

The Phils unloaded fourteen hits in the ballgame, with Juan Pierre leading the club with three hits, all singles, followed by Jimmy Rollins (Singles, RBI) and Hunter Pence (Singles, RBI) following with two hits each. Shane Victorino (Single), Ty Wigginton (Double, 4 RBIs), Laynce Nix (Double, RBI), John Mayberry, Jr. (Single, RBI), Carlos Ruiz (Single), Pete Orr (Double) and Cole Hamels (Single), had the other seven Phils’ hits, as the offense was finally able to get the key hits that they had been missing all weekend. The Phils also had four walks and two stolen bases (Rollins (2nd), Pence (2nd)), which came on a double steal in the first inning.

The Phils (4-5, 4th East) will now begin a ten-game road trip out west, starting with a three-game series with the Giants (4-4, T-3rd West). The opening game of the series will be played at AT&T Park in San Francisco, and will start at 10:15 pm EDT (7: 15 pm PDT). The Phils will send to the mound their ace Roy Halladay (2-0, 0.60), who is coming off a win against the Marlins on April 11, as he went seven innings, giving up a run on five scattered hits and a walk, while he struck out three, in the Phils’ 7-1 win. He will be shooting for his third win of the young season, while hoping that the offense had finally arrived. The Giants will counter with their ace Tim Lincecum (0-1, 12.91), who is coming off a no-decision against the Rockies on April 11, as he went only two and one-thirds innings, giving up six runs on eight hits and two walks, while he struck out only three, in the Giants’ 17-8 lost. He will be trying to better his record as he looks to record his first win of the season. The Phils will be trying to take advantage of Tim Lincesum’s present pitching woes, as they hope to start their trip out west with a win.

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